COMPARATIVE ASSESSMENT OF PREVALENCE, PERCEPTION AND FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH SELF-MEDICATION AMONG ADULT POPULATION

The primary objective of this study was to estimate the prevalence and factors associated with self-medication in rural and urban populations. A cross-sectional study was carried out in the urban and rural field practice areas of ACS Medical College, located at (Nerkundrum and Nayapakkam respectively) A pre-tested questionnaire was utilized to obtain data on socio-demographic characteristics and self-medication practices within the past three months. Among 270 respondents, 75.6% (102/135) of the rural population and 52.6% (71/135) of the urban population were reported for self-medication practice within the past three months. In the rural population, 43.2% of participants’ reason for self-medication was cost saving & convenience, while in the rural population, 45.1% of participants chose convenience and cost saving and convenience. Community pharmacies were the commonplace of procurement of Antipyretic, Analgesic & NSAID drugs for Aches & Pain (Pain) in both populations. Knowledge about dosage, side effects, and safety instructions of the drugs taken for self-medication was poor in both populations. The prevalence of self-medication was found 23% greater in the rural population than in the urban population. Self-medication was strongly associated with factors like the age and income of the participants. Population education on the risks associated with self-medication and stringent regulations should be implemented to restrict the distribution of medications without a legitimate prescription.